This school year will begin soon for the Sugar-Salem School District, but teachers’ pay and benefits will still be up for negotiation. Neither the district nor the teachers’ union have been able to agree on a new contract.

Both sides agreed to hire a professional mediator to help them find a solution to the contract dispute. Mediation began the last week in July and according to district Superintendent Alan Dunn, lasted until 1 am on the first day. Negotiations are now on hold and remain that way until after the district’s audit in October.

According to Dunn, despite the late hour, he is still optimistic and claims he has seen longer mediation sessions take play. He also pointed out the current situation does not have the same “hoopla” as there has been in previous years of negotiations. He went on to call the session “… very respectful, very nice.”

According to Dunn, both parties reached some good conclusions, but there are still details that remain to be worked out. He believes they are close to determine a schedule to disperse salary money soon.

According to teachers’ union president Cathy Nelson, union members are frustrated with the result of the mediation session. She claims she stayed until 2 am when the groups reach an impasse. She said salary is the sticking point, as well as the willingness of union members to pay a bit more toward their and their families’ health insurance benefits. She was also upset attorneys were involved and reiterated that the union just wants to get things settled.